NCHSAA 4A State Championship Preview: Players to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two best 4A teams in North Carolina will face off this Saturday at noon inside the Dean Smith Center on the campus of UNC - Chapel Hill. At stake, the coveted NCHSAA 4A State Championship. Lake Norman (31-0) faces Panther Creek (28-4) in a highly anticipated bout that will feature several future mid to high major prospects from both programs. We take a look at a few players from each team that are sure to make an impact in Saturday's contest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["207414"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The 5'11 forward brings a multitude of attributes to the 4A Eastern Regional Champions which has undoubtedly played a major role in helping her team reach the 4A title game. Offensively, she has consistently been able to knock down shots from the elbow. She has also shown the ability to put the ball on the floor when needed and finishing strong at the rim. On defense, Amira directs traffic, calling out screens and putting teammates in the right position. She redirects shots in the paint and displays toughness when rebounding the ball.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["563337"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"This 4A Track and Field Champion is a true rim protector and really makes her impact in the paint. Kristin excels down low where her length really gives her opponents problems getting buckets down low. She does a great job rebounding on both ends of the floor and putting the ball back up  or kicking it out for second chance opportunities. She has also shown to be able to step back and hit the 15 footer when needed.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["326206"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"The 2024 guard has one of the quickest first steps you'll see in the state. Taylor can flat out fly and her speeds keeps the defense on its heels and she does a good job setting up her teammates. She does a good job of catching opponents out of position and using it to her advantage to slip in for the score. Keep an eye on the matchup between Taylor and Lake Norman's Addison Sirriani who some consider as one of the best defenders in the state.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["389288"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Olivia's all around game has been really impressive this season. The First-Team All District guard has been able to show off her shooting touch from the outside all season and has played extremely well defensively. She's been able to be disruptive in passing lanes and can be seen on film diving after loose balls. She has displayed a lot of toughness at the guard position during the playoffs and we expect to see more of that Saturday.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["275969"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"The Wake Forest commit possesses an abundance of talent. Madisyn is such an unselfish player that  can't be ignored. She is a player that can really get going from deep and she must be accounted for at all times. She loves to get her teammates involved and has displayed her passing ability in the playoffs.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640a6a90ea6ee"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["254584"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"It is hard to stand out on a loaded team but Kirsten's abilities on the floor are limitless. Having the unique ability to play all 5 positions on the floor makes her matchup nightmare for opponents. She can be your shot blocker, rebounder, ball-handler, penetrator, distributor or your shooter all in the same sequence. The senior has been leaving everything she has on the floor every single night of the season and we expect more of the same in her final game in a Lake Norman uniform.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["288423"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Addison has more than fit the bill of being one of the top defensive players in North Carolina. She can defend all 94 feet and does so without fouling. She does a great job denying the ball to her opponents and is a very underrated offensively as she can knock down shots and finish when called upon.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["457411"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"There is just something special about watching the 2026 guard play basketball. She truly enjoys being on the floor and it shows. Kelsey has such a wide skill set that it makes her very difficult to defend. She is a true u0022x-factoru0022 that can come into the game and drop 20 points, scoring from every level.  She has shown the ability to knock it down from behind the arc and she is not afraid to mix it up down low. She can attack the paint and get to the free throw line and is valuable asset defensively as well.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["331368"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Like her twin Samantha, Alexis has shown to be a true Swiss army knife for the Lady Wildcats. Both have the ability to stretch the floor on offense and can also mix it up in the paint. They can box out and rebound extremely well. Defensively, they both do a great job attacking passing lanes and can finish after steals on the break.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640a6a90ea7e1"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->